Combined snap switch for flash lights



Oct. 16, 1934. c E. PRYQR 1,977,086

COMBINEID SNAP SWITCH FOR FLASH LIGHTS Filed Oct. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Uarence E. Pram Oct. '16, 1934. c. E. PRYOR COMBINED SNAP SWITCH FOR FLASH LIGHTS Filed Oct. 23, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II E] I 55 54 as b 1e 25 a 1M5 5 i--|2 236 I I I x w ,5 Z L INVENTOR Clarence EJPY'SOY @TTQRNEY Patented Oct. 16, 1934 i r r *3U ITED- T S PATENT OFFICE ICOMBINED SNAP SWITCH FOR FLASH LIGHTS Clarence E. Pryor, Elizabeth, N. J. Application October 23, 1931, Serial No. 570,606

4 Claims. (cram-10.66)

My invention relates to switches for electric will be more fully understood from the following flashlights and like electrical devices. detail description and the accompanying draw- Particular features of the invention reside in ings, in which simplification of the individual structural parts Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment and assembly of the same and of the snap switch of my invention inclusive of a suspending ring; 60? formaking and breaking the circuit through the the View in this figure is broken away toward lampfbulb; the utilization as a structural part the left hand end, and is also shown in central of the switch of aresilient member cooperating vertical sectional elevation at the right hand end,

to adjustthe effective focus of the light rays to reveal otherwise hidden parts;

10 emittedby the electric bulb and reflected by the Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on line 22 65.;

reflector; utilization of a structural part of the Fig. 1, on a slightly enlarged scale; switch inassociation with the metal exposed cap Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on line 33 of end portion of the flashlight casing for testing Fig. 2; this View also illustrates the utilization the integrity of electrical lamp bulbs, fuses, etc.; of my invention with the suspending ring for ll"- utilization of a structural part of the switch in the testing of the integrity of an electrical fuse; 70 association with a suspension member as inthe Fig. 4 is a top plan view of Fig. 3, the parts form of a ring or open hook or the like for the having been rotated through an arc of one huntesting of electrical deviceshaving a length greatdred and eighty angular degrees;

V er than is afforded by testing with the metal ex- Fig. 5 is an explosive view showing detail parts; posed cap end portion of the casing, and other Fig. 6 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 of 75' features as will appear more fully'hereinafter. another embodiment of my invention;

' My switch structure is applicable with or with- Fig. 7 is a'sectional elevation on line 7-7 of out the use of a suspending ring for the fiash- Fig. 6;

light. Such suspending ring, when desired, may Fig. 8 is a sectional vertical elevation on line form a combinational part with myswitch, par- 8+8 of Fig. 6; so ticularly when the ring is designed for use in the Fig. 9 is an end view of a further embodiment;

testingoi fuse plugs and other electrical devices, and. the dimensional requirements of which exceed Fig. 10 is a central vertical sectional elevation that afforded by the spacial distance between the on line 10-1O of Fig. 9.

metal exposed portion'of a structural element of Fig. 11 is an explosive view of detail parts. 85

the switch and the metal exposed cap end por- Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a further emtion of the casing. bodiment of my switch element and its mounting 1 In certain forms of my invention, wherein a means. l suspending'ring or other suspending device is The casing of the flashlight is illustrated in not employed, and therefore does notformastructhe drawings of circular cross-sectional configu- 9o turalpart of my switch, my invention provides ration, but may be of any desired configuration. a" switch structure which embodies a resilient Within the casing 10, I have illustrated the member serving to function in the adjustment of usual one or more electrical dry cells 11; each the focus of the'light' rays. This form of my such cell, pursuant to present practice, is formed invention is applicable for the testing of elecof an outer casing of zinc serving as the anode, tricaldevices. the bottom 12 of the zinc casing being exposed My inventionmayalso embody an open hook and the side insulated by a sleeve of paper or member for the suspension of the flashlight, the equivalent, the central electrode 13, usually of open hook affording definite advantages over the carbon,serving as cathode, projecting sufliciently '45 I usual closed ring. Provision is also-made for the to contact either with the bottom of anadjacent 10o retention of theh'ook its'nonsuspending po cell or with the terminal 14 of the electric lamp sition substantially flush'with the configuration bulb 15. Usually'such lamp bulb is provided of the casing, and preferably biasly retained in with a spiral sleeve for meshing with the correits non-suspending position. g spon'ding spiral threading 16 of the socket 17. 501 i invention is further applicable to "the as- The reflector 18 is integral with or secured to the sociation of the hook suspending member as a sleeve 17, by its hollow hub 19. The reflector structural-element of myswitch, to'afiord in asand the above stated associated parts and the sociation withmyelectrical switch the testing of lens 20 are retained in position by the front end electrical devices. cap 21,.which" is usually formed of two mutually 55 Further features. and objects of the invention threaded sleeves, as appears in Fig. 1.

Usually, the central portion 10a of the metal casing 10 is covered with lacquer or other electrically insulating material, serving the purposes of ornamentation as well as protection of the exposed metal against corrosion and indication of Wear.

The front end cap members are usually metal exposed and nickeled or otherwise protected from corrosion, and similarly the rear end cap 22. The rear end cap 22 is similarly provided with or formed with threading for meshing with the threading 10b of the metal casing 10, for the purpose of securement of the end cap, and also, with or without cooperation withthe threaded front end cap, for the adjustment of the focus of the light rays emitted by the lamp bulb and reflected by the lens 20.

As above indicated, a feature of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, is the dual function.

of my snap switch assembly for the adjustment of the focus of thelight rays. j

One form of my switch, preferably of the snap type,'is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5; this embodiment of my invention is also applicablefor the testing of electrical devices.

As is illustrated inFigs. Ito 3, my snap switch comprises the manipulative member 23,, which in theillustrated embodiment serves asthe movable switch member; its end 24 projects exteriorly of the casing through the slot 125 in the end cap 22. In the form illustrated, see Figs. 1, 2, 3v

vide insulating and positioning disks, and as-il-.

lustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, comprises the positioning disk 25, provided with the slot 250. for the insertion therethrough of the angular portions 23?), 23c, and retention of the body portion 23a of the switch member 23; further, the positioning disk 26 which is provided with the radially open-ended recess 26a for the reception thereinof the body portion 23a of the switch member 23; and the insulating disk 27 of fibre or other suitable electrically insulating material.

As appearsifrom Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the assembly of my switch member is as follows: the insulating disk 2'? is positioned within and atthe bottom of the rear end cap 22, the positioning disks 26, 25, being located in the order named, the switch member 23 having been threaded through the slot 25a of the disk 25, and its body portion 23a passed through the recess 26a of the disk 26, the free end 24 extending through the slot 125 in the end cap 22. The end cap 22 is :then threaded upon the rear end of the casing lO, until the portion 230 of the switch member 23 engages the bottom 12 of an. electrical cell-11, whereby. the switch member. 23 is connected in the negative side of the electrical circuit.

Inflashlight constructionsembodying my invention, wherein the metal of the'reflector 18 engages and makes electrical .c'ontactwith the metal of the, frontrend cap 21, the metal material of, the casingand therewith the metal of the end. caps is connectedin the positive side of the elecit trical circuiltand accordingly suitable arran ement is made for the movement of my switch member 23 into and out of contact with the metal of the rear end cap 22 for effecting the closure and opening of the circuit through the lamp bulb.

As one form of such arrangement, I provide 30 the positioning disk 26 further with the depression 26b within the radial extension 260, the ex-' tension 26c projecting through the slot 125 in the rearjendcap 22 to locate the depression 262) and therewith the switch member 23 when moved 8 into" the depression 26b, to engage and make electrical contact with the metal of the rear end cap 22, for the circuit-closing position of the switch,

that is to say, for the lighting of the lamp bulb.

I also provide the positioning disk 26 with the further radial extension 26d having therein the central depression 266, for receiving and retaining the switch member 23 when moved therein, for its test position.

' By the provision of the radial extensions 26b and 26d, positioned at opposite. sidesjof the radially open recess 26a, there is provided the'cleare ance 26f, see Fig. 5, which effects. a functional operation with a suspension member such as the suspending-ring, osually pivotally mounted on 160 the rear end cap22. .One such pivotal mounting may be had by forming the pivot cars 29, the ends ofthe ring 30 beingsnapped therein.

As will appear from the above,- the metal end 24 of the switch member 2 3 projects exteriorly 1% of the casing, i. e., exteriorly of the rear end cap 22, and is connected in the negative sideof the circuit whereas the casing and itsend caps are connected in the positive side. Accordingly, to preclude shortcircuiting of the circuit in the; event ofsimultaneous engagement of the end 24- oi theswitch member 23 and'thecasing IO and/ or either end cap with metallic material, I mount the button 28 of electrically insulating material on the end 2% of the switch member 23. I

For testing'electric lamps such as automobile lamps and other lamps of the so-called miniature and of the smaller socket types, the insulating button 28 is provided with a groove 28a extending to the circular perimeter of'the button, sufficient length of, the end 24 of the switch member 23 being provided to enable the end 24 to be downwardly turned within such groove. Prefe erably, I provide two such grooves 28a, and, bisect the end 24, andbend oneof such bisected 1 ends 24a in a groove 28a positioned toward the front of the casing and the otherend 24b in a; groove 23a positioned toward the "rear of the casing, see Fig. 3,.such grooves 28a being of suflicient width to enable the electrical devices to be m tested to be effectually received therein for the purpose. Thus for the testing of electrical -devices of small size, such as a miniature electric bulb, the end 24 of the switchmember is shifted to, its neutral, locked position at25e, and the bulb placed with its central contact engagingthc metal. of the rear end cap 22 and its shell received within a groove 28a to engage abisectedend 24am? the switch member23; (In the event its filament is integral, the lamp 15.0f the iiashlight-Elighted, 1% and in the event of non-integrality of its filament, the flashlight lamp 15,is not lighted,

In theforms of myinvention utilizin airing suspension member 30, such ri ng mayhem-the dual purpose of cooperation withmy switch, to efiectliehtine or ncnelighting or the flashlight bulb l5-rwhen the ring-30 is in its-.suspendmg. p sition, or as an element-in'thc testingrot elem-1. trical devices. j i

. .rFor eithen or. bothcsuch;nurnosessoneamid. see 186 30a, see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, may be bent, so that such bend 30a engages the rear face of the switch member 23 when the member 23 is moved to enter the clearance 26fof the disk 26 and the ring 30 is in its closed position, as in Fig. l, the insulation disk 27 being provided with the opening 27a to effect'such electrical contact. In such form and status of parts, upon moving'the switch element to theposition 26 ,"the flash lamp is lighted when the ring is in its non-suspending position, but upon moving the ring to its'suspending position, it is now prepared for the testing of an electrical device such as a cartridge fuse, see 31, Fig. 3, by spanning the same to place one of its terminals 31a to engage the ring and the other terminal 311) to engage a bisected end 24aor 24b in a groove 28a of the button 28.

To effect lighting of 'the flash lamp 15 with the ring 30 in its suspending position, the switch member 23 is moved into-its locking notch 26?),

, whereat it engages the metal oft-he rear end cap 22. v In the above described forms of. my invention,

, the disk 27 is preferably provided with a radial extension 2722 to suitably locate the switch element 23 when positionedin the clearance 26f of the disk 26.

From the above, in addition to the features of closing and opening the circuit of the flashlight so hand screw turn adjusts the focus of the light rays more closely toward the lens and a left-hand screw turn adjusts the lig t focus more remotely.

' In the focal adjustment, the resilient parts 23%;, 23c, of my switch element 23 function jointly in the axial displacement of the one or more electric cells and flexing of the combined lamp bulb and reflector assembly, pursuant to present practice, to shift the lamp bulb axially relative to the lens; at each stage of focal adjustment; the

H mechanical contact and electricalengagement of my switch member 23 is eifectually maintained withthe cell bottom 12. It will be further ob served that the disc 27 of insulation material serves as the abutment for the switch member H 23, in such adjustment.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the switch is of simplifledform, in that it embodies the primary features of the switch for the closing andopening of the circuit through the lamp bulb, and also affords testing of elecwhich disk 33 is flexed to more or less extent in the operation of adjustment of the light focus.

'Also, my switch construction embodied in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 comprises but two discs, namely, the

insulation disc 34 and the positioning disc 35;

The disc 34, see Fig. 11, in. such construction, is

'of electrically insulating material and comprises a flat circular body portion and a locking flange extension 34a; the latter is shown of the bayonet joint type, namely, a recess 34?) for affording and maintaining contact between the end 24 of the lswitch element 23 with the metal of the rear. end

casing '22 and the re-eritrant recess 34c forlocking the switch end 24 in its circuit opening posi" tion, a portion of the insulating flange 34a being thereby interposed between the switch elementv switch. member 23 when in its circuit-closing v position. i i e The construction of my switch, as embodied in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 11 is also applicable in con junction with a suspension member, the suspension member as appears in Figs. 9 and 10 in this instance, being illustrated of an open hook type,- in lieu of the closed ring illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 hereinabove' described.

, The open hook 36 is mounted in any suitable manner, but preferably pivotally on the outer face-of the bottom 37 of the rear end cap 22 in spaced bearings, conveniently'aiforded by forming and bending the spaced ears 38, 39 in the metal of the bottom 37.

Such hook 36 may be utilized as a suspension member solely, the open hook feature being particularly advantageous as compared with a closed ring or other closed suspension member, whereby the positioning and removal of the hook upon suitable suspending means, such as a cross bar under the hood of an automobile, or the like,is superior to that of a closed suspension member.

Desirably, thehook suspension member 36 is snapped in its non-operative position, as by forming the angularly related depressions 40, 41 in the rear face of the material of the bottom 37 of the rear end cap 22, the lateral edges of the depression 41 being arranged to hold the hook in its non-operative position by snap relationship with the open end of the hook, the flexibility of which is enhanced by its open construction.

If desired, the open hook suspension member may cooperate with my snap switch, which cooperation is illustrated'as effected in a manner similar to the cooperation of a suspension ring 30, hereinabove described, and comprising a laterally bent terminal portion 36a corresponding to the bent portion 30a of the suspension ring 30. i The testing of electrical devices with my switch with the use of suspension hook 36, is similar to that hereinabove described relative to the suspension ring 30.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12, the mounting means for the switch element 23 has been simplified, namely, a single disk element 41'serving jointly as the circuit-position locking disk and the element retention disk. As illusrated in Fig. 12, the disk 41 is substantially parallelly slitted at locations toward its center, the intervening portion between the slits being offset to provide a raised tongue 42 through which the body portion of the switch member 23 is passed, a degree of friction being provided between theunder face of the tongue 42 and the body of the switch element 23 to sufiiciently retain the switch member within the tongue. The disk 41 is also provided at its perimeter with a circuit-locking flange extension 34a, the parts thereof corresponding generally to the parts of the disk 34 illustrated in Fig. 11, and accordingly like parts are designated by like reference characters. Preferably, one edge 42a of thetongue 42 is arcuate, the radius being located in a 'direction toward the extension flange 34a, to facilitate the rocking or rotatable movement of the body of the switch member 23 in attaining its respective circuit-closing and circuit-opening 5 'positions. I

It will be understood that insulation is provided for the respective disk mounting meansfor the switch member 23; in such instances of use where the end cap 22 is of metal; however, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the end cap may be made cinch-conducting material,

such as molded bakelite or other suitable moldable, electrically insulating material, and suitable provision is made for racially embedding and retaining a strip of metal, or equivalent, in the material of the end cap, as on the inner face of the end cap, such strip extending at its one end to engage the end 24 of the switchmember23 when it is in its circuit closing position and at its opposite end to engage and make good electri-- cal'contact with the metal of the cylindrical body portion of the casing 10, or equivalent arranger ment to effect electricalv contact with the lamp mounting means and therewith close the circuit -v through the electric lamp, when the switch memthe end cap, a slot inthe side wall of the end cap,

a rotatable contact member having one end extending laterally through the face of one of said pair of fixed discs and the other end extending radially of the end cap and through the slot, and terminating at a point without the end cap, a fixed disc positioned between the pair of fixed discs and provided with a radial slot acting as a housing for the radially extending end of the contact member, and pivoted means, carri dby the end cap and movable at will to engage or disengagewith the rotatable contact member.

2. In an improved combined end cap and switch for a flashlight the combination of a threaded end cap provided with a slot in the side wall and lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the cap, and

with a pivotally mounted suspension ring normal-,-

ly lying in engagement with the rear or closed end of the cap, a switch operating projection on said suspension ring normally in switch operating position, a plurality of discs housed within the cap and provided with projections extending through the slot in the rear cap, a switch member housed within the plurality of discs and rotatabletherein and having an arm extending laterally outward through the said slot in the side wall of the cap, said switch member being normally engage'd' by the suspension ring and means formed on one. of the plurality of discs for holding'the; switch member in engagement with the endcap.

3. Inan improved combined end cap and switch for a flashlight the combination of a threaded end cap provided with a slot in the side Wall and lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the cap, and with a pivotally mounted suspension ring normally lying inengagementwith the rear or closed end of the cap, a switch operating projec tion on said suspension ring normally in switch operating position, a plurality of discs housed within the cap and provided with projections extending through the slot in the rearcap, a switch member housed within the plurality of discs and rotatable therein and having an arm extending laterally outward through the said slot in the side wall of the cap, said switch member being normally engaged by the suspension ring and means formed on one of the plurality of discs for holding t1 e switch member in engagement with the end [cap and out of engagement with the suspension ring. V a

l. In an improved combined end cap and switch for a flashlight the combination of a threaded end cap provided with a slotiin the side wall and lying in a plane transverse to the axis of the cap, and with a pivotally mounted suspension ring nor-- maily lying in engagement with the rear or closed end of the cap, a switch operating projection on said suspension ring normally in switch operating position, a plurality of discs housed within the cap. andprovided with projections extending through the slot in the rear cap, a switch member housed within the plurality of discs and rotatable therein and having an arm extending laterally outward through the said slot in the. side wall of the cap, said switch member being normally engaged by the suspension ring and mea s formed on one of the plurality of discs for holding the switch member out of engagement with the end cap and suspension ring.

CLARENCE E. PRYOR. 

